Canadian Friends of Hebrew University, in collaboration with Vancouver Talmud Torah (VTT) and King David High School (KDHS), hosted a powerful and insightful evening in Vancouver on September 26, 2024, titled “Bridging Hope – Science and Personal Testimony in the Fight Against Addiction.”
Following scientific presentations by two Hebrew University professors/researchers and a U of T professor/senior clinician-scientist from Sick Kids, the third part of the evening featured an intimate and moving conversation with the Bogdonov-Epstein family: David, Elana, and their son Noah. The family courageously shared their personal journey of navigating addiction within their own family, offering raw and heartfelt insights into the challenges they faced. Their openness highlighted the importance of community support and making the conversation around addiction public, encouraging other families to seek help and support. The conversation was moderated by Pat Johnson, a long-time writer for the Jewish Independent and founding director of Upstanders Canada, which mobilizes non-Jewish Canadians against antisemitism and anti-Zionism.